Fifth-Generation K-Pop (2023 to Present): The Newest Wave Explained

A new wave of K-pop groups has arrived since 2023, led by names like RIIZE, BABYMONSTER, ILLIT, KISS OF LIFE, and ZEROBASEONE. Fans and the press often call this the "fifth generation," though the term is still genuinely debated. Here is a clear, measured look at the groups defining K-pop's newest era, the milestones they have already hit, and why the generation label remains a moving target as of 2026.

🌊 What "Fifth Generation" Means (and Why It's Debated)

K-pop "generations" are not official categories assigned by record labels. They are informal shorthand, shaped by fans, journalists, and the industry to mark shifts in sound, style, technology, and the global reach of new acts. Because no one owns the definition, the boundaries are fuzzy and often contested.

By rough consensus, the third generation is associated with the mid-2010s (groups like BTS, TWICE, and BLACKPINK), and the fourth generation with acts that emerged from around 2018 onward. The fifth generation is most commonly used for groups debuting from roughly 2023 onward — but you will find passionate disagreement online.

• The start date is unsettled: some fans argue the fifth generation began as early as 2022, others insist it started in 2023, and a few say it has not truly begun yet.
• Some acts straddle the line: certain 2022 debuts are claimed by both fourth- and fifth-gen camps, and the label is applied loosely.

Treat "fifth generation" as a useful, popular shorthand rather than a precise scientific term. In this article we focus on widely recognized newer groups that debuted in 2023 or later.

🚀 RIIZE and BABYMONSTER: Big-Three Heavyweights Enter the Ring

Two of the most-watched newcomers come from K-pop's largest agencies, giving the new wave instant visibility.

RIIZE, under SM Entertainment, debuted on September 4, 2023 with the single album Get a Guitar. The group launched with seven members, including former NCT members who moved over to the new project. In October 2024, member Seunghan departed, and RIIZE has continued as a six-member group. The name is meant to evoke "rise" and "realize."

BABYMONSTER, under YG Entertainment, is the agency's first new girl group since BLACKPINK. The group first released the digital single Batter Up on November 27, 2023 (initially as six members, with one member absent for health reasons), then formally debuted with its complete seven-member lineup and the mini-album Babymons7er on April 1, 2024. As a multinational group, BABYMONSTER reflects K-pop's continued push toward globally diverse lineups.

🧲 ILLIT and the HYBE Newcomers

ILLIT is a five-member girl group formed by Belift Lab, a label under the HYBE umbrella, through the 2023 survival show R U Next?. They debuted on March 25, 2024 with the EP Super Real Me and its lead single "Magnetic."

"Magnetic" became one of the new wave's signature breakout moments. The song entered the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 (peaking around No. 91), and ILLIT was widely reported as the fastest K-pop group to reach the Hot 100 after debut. Billboard also named ILLIT its first "K-Pop Rookie of the Month" in June 2024. It was a striking example of how quickly a brand-new group can now achieve international chart impact.

HYBE's wider ecosystem has produced other notable recent acts as well, including BOYNEXTDOOR, a six-member group under the HYBE sub-label KOZ Entertainment (founded by rapper-producer Zico), which debuted in May 2023.

💋 KISS OF LIFE and ZEROBASEONE: Range Across the New Wave

The fifth generation is not only about the biggest agencies — it spans different company sizes and formats.

KISS OF LIFE, a four-member girl group under S2 Entertainment, debuted on July 5, 2023 with a self-titled EP. The group earned attention for its R&B-leaning sound and strong vocal and performance focus, showing how a smaller label can still make a serious mark in a crowded field.

ZEROBASEONE (often stylized ZB1) is a boy group formed through Mnet's 2023 survival competition Boys Planet and managed by WakeOne. The group debuted on July 10, 2023 with the mini-album Youth in the Shade. Like many survival-show groups, ZEROBASEONE launched as a fixed-term project lineup, and its membership and activities have evolved over time as contracts ran their course. Project groups assembled from competition shows have been a defining feature of this era.

📋 Other Notable Newcomers Often Grouped Here

Beyond the headline names, several other recent debuts are frequently included in fifth-generation conversations. Details below are based on widely documented information:

• TWS — a boy group under Pledis Entertainment that debuted in early 2024 and won prominent Rookie of the Year recognition.
• BOYNEXTDOOR — HYBE/KOZ Entertainment boy group (debuted May 2023), noted for a self-produced, approachable image.
• Hearts2Hearts — an SM Entertainment girl group that debuted in 2025, among the more talked-about newer rookies.

This is not an exhaustive list, and inclusion in the "fifth generation" varies by who you ask. New groups continue to debut frequently, so any roster of "newest-generation" acts is best treated as a snapshot rather than a fixed canon.

🎯 What Sets This Era Apart

While every group is distinct, a few broad trends are commonly associated with the newest wave of K-pop:

• Instant global reach: brand-new groups now routinely target international charts and streaming from day one, as ILLIT's rapid Billboard Hot 100 entry illustrated.
• Short-form and social-first promotion: platforms built around short video and viral challenges have become central to how rookies break out.
• Survival-show pipelines: competition programs continue to assemble high-profile groups such as ZEROBASEONE, shaping debuts and fan bases before a group even releases music.
• Multinational lineups and a more "natural," approachable image: many newer groups emphasize relatability alongside polished production.

These are general tendencies rather than hard rules — plenty of fourth-generation groups share them too, which is part of why the generational line is so debated.

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